Five injured in collision on Interstate 75

Published: Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 2:14 a.m.

GAINESVILLE - A semi carrying glass bottles clipped the back of a sport utility vehicle, causing an accident that blocked north and southbound lanes on Interstate 75 in Alachua County and created traffic jams throughout the day along the roadway Friday, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.
Traffic remained clogged Friday evening near the Alachua and Columbia county line while troopers and clean-up crews continued to work in the area of the wreck.
Five people were transported to area hospitals after the crash, which occurred at about 9:30 a.m. But none of the injuries were considered life-threatening, said FHP spokesman Lt. Mike Burroughs.
The semi's driver, Bulford Norris Owens, 83, of Malden, Mo., failed to slow down as his vehicle approached the back of a sport utility vehicle, troopers reported. Realizing the two vehicles were about to collide, Owens tried to avoid the SUV, carrying four people. But the truck hit the rear of the SUV, sending it into the road's guardrail.
The load of bottles on the semi then shifted, causing the truck to overturn, troopers said.
A preliminary report from troopers had initially stated the SUV changed lanes in front of the southbound semi and cut off the vehicle. Further investigation, however, caused troopers to revise their findings about the crash.
Owens, the SUV's driver, Kimberly Kay Grieve, 38, of Oakland Park, and passengers riding with Grieve, Andrea Lashana Frazier, 28, of Reddick, and Beth Nelson, 43, of Ocala, had minor injuries, troopers reported. Another passenger in the SUV, Artesha T. Rouse, 10, had no injuries but was taken to Shands at the University of Florida, according to FHP.
Everyone in both vehicles was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to troopers.
The accident blocked the left and middle southbound lanes and the emergency lane of the road's northbound side.
Burroughs said a large amount of fuel spilled from the semi in the accident.
Rescuers from Alachua County Fire Rescue and the High Springs Fire Department were called to the crash, said Megan Crandall with Alachua County Fire Rescue. A hazardous materials team also was contacted to help clean up the spilled fuel.
Most of the interstate's lanes were reopened shortly after 1 p.m. However one southbound lane remained closed into the evening because of debris and cleaning efforts.
Owens will face a careless driving charge, according to troopers.

GAINESVILLE - A semi carrying glass bottles clipped the back of a sport utility vehicle, causing an accident that blocked north and southbound lanes on Interstate 75 in Alachua County and created traffic jams throughout the day along the roadway Friday, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.<BR>
Traffic remained clogged Friday evening near the Alachua and Columbia county line while troopers and clean-up crews continued to work in the area of the wreck.<BR>
Five people were transported to area hospitals after the crash, which occurred at about 9:30 a.m. But none of the injuries were considered life-threatening, said FHP spokesman Lt. Mike Burroughs.<BR>
The semi's driver, Bulford Norris Owens, 83, of Malden, Mo., failed to slow down as his vehicle approached the back of a sport utility vehicle, troopers reported. Realizing the two vehicles were about to collide, Owens tried to avoid the SUV, carrying four people. But the truck hit the rear of the SUV, sending it into the road's guardrail.<BR>
The load of bottles on the semi then shifted, causing the truck to overturn, troopers said.<BR>
A preliminary report from troopers had initially stated the SUV changed lanes in front of the southbound semi and cut off the vehicle. Further investigation, however, caused troopers to revise their findings about the crash.<BR>
Owens, the SUV's driver, Kimberly Kay Grieve, 38, of Oakland Park, and passengers riding with Grieve, Andrea Lashana Frazier, 28, of Reddick, and Beth Nelson, 43, of Ocala, had minor injuries, troopers reported. Another passenger in the SUV, Artesha T. Rouse, 10, had no injuries but was taken to Shands at the University of Florida, according to FHP.<BR>
Everyone in both vehicles was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to troopers.<BR>
The accident blocked the left and middle southbound lanes and the emergency lane of the road's northbound side.<BR>
Burroughs said a large amount of fuel spilled from the semi in the accident.<BR>
Rescuers from Alachua County Fire Rescue and the High Springs Fire Department were called to the crash, said Megan Crandall with Alachua County Fire Rescue. A hazardous materials team also was contacted to help clean up the spilled fuel.<BR>
Most of the interstate's lanes were reopened shortly after 1 p.m. However one southbound lane remained closed into the evening because of debris and cleaning efforts.<BR>
Owens will face a careless driving charge, according to troopers.<BR>